Danube Watch 2 / 2020

DANUBE WATCH 2 / 2020

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DANUBE RIVER WWW.ICPDR.ORG

15 YEARS OF DEDICATION: The Interational Sava River Basin Commission

DANUBE RIDERS: Fighting Climate Change by Bike

WATER-CITY: A History of Vienna’s Relationship to its Waterways 3 Dear Readers Danube Day 2020! 12-13

News & When Time Spent in the Water Pans Out: Events 4 - 5 14-15 Gold Hunting in the Danube Climate Ride: Cycling 800 The European Green Deal: Kilometres Along the Danube to 6 - 7 Cultivating a Strong Future Raise Money for Climate Action 16 -17 15 Years: The International Sava River Basin Vienna and its Waters: Commission Celebrates 15 Years of Success- an Environmental History ful Management of the Sava River Basin 8 - 9 18-19 Practical Guidelines on Planning People of the Danube: Natural and Small Water Retention in an Interview with Andreas Beckmann 10 -11 River Basins 20-21 22-23 Danube Kayak Expedition 2020

Online: 12

Donaueschingen, Germany: 16 Due to the Covid-19 situation, Kudelin, Bulgaria: 22 this is where most celebra- Beginning of the Danube tions, activities and information Point of departure for the GWP proper and starting place of sessions for Danube Day 2020 CEE’s Danube Kayak Expedition the Climate Ride highlighted took place. along the Bulgarian stretch of within. the Danube. to changing the mindset of ourselves, the engineers, the ecologists and all the experts involved in this process: taking a common position toward a higher goal - nature conservation for all future generations, in these- turbu lent times, is a supreme goal. Back to back, united against a common challenge, we are creating the know-how of green and sustainable IWT in an era when nature plac- Dear readers, es new demands on us, unable to absorb the mistakes of the human race that have significantly changed and weak- Climate change and environmental degradation are an ex- ened it. istential threat to Europe and the world which requires © Ministarstvo mora, prometa i infrastrukture Hrvatske i infrastrukture mora, prometa © Ministarstvo drastic steps coupled with extraordinary levels of coopera- The ICPDR, the Danube Commission and the Sava Com- tion. Here I would like to emphasise that the Sava Commis- mission are ensuring that environmental protection and sion and our partner river commissions are a remarkable river engineering go hand-in-hand through the facilita- example of cooperation in the Inland Waterway Transpor- tion of the “Joint Statement on Guiding Principles on the tation (IWT) community. This cooperation is based on a Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental in joint spirit and common understanding of ensuring the the Danube River Basin” follow-up process. This work is future of cleaner, healthier and safer waters by combating often very transportation-focused – as is the case with negative climate change effects on river transport, as well the Sava Commission – or done in a more cross-sectoral as the rivers themselves and their environment. way – as seen with the ICPDR. Both organisations recog- nise the importance Inland Waterway Transport has to the To avoid significant expenditures and damages to the en- livelihoods of those living in the Danube River Basin, and vironment, it is evident that policy makers and general see its sustainable future as vital. To this end, a continued stakeholders should address climate change issues as a evolution of the process with even closer interaction with matter of urgency. A clear understanding of the potential stakeholders in the basin is expected. impacts, risks and vulnerabilities appears to be a prereq- uisite for the design and construction of resilient and sus- Finally, let me proudly refer to the 15 years of the Com- tainable transport infrastructure. Its improvement should mission I have chaired. The Sava Commission is the only not be a threat to the environment, but an opportunity European river commission that deals both with water to protect and improve the environmental functioning of management and navigation. This is a great responsibili- our highly valuable riverine ecosystems. This perspective ty, with very significant and measurable results that have is further highlighted in and supported by the ICPDR's lat- been achieved in all fields of action. est Significant Water Management Issues (SWMI) - over view for 2020. Duška Kunštek, is Chair of the Sava Commission, Assistant Analysing further, the attitude towards climate change Minister, Head of Directorate for Inland Navigation, Croatian and the preservation of the riverine ecosystem boils down Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure

IMPRINT For a free subscription to Danube Watch, or Owner/Publisher: ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection to contribute to Danube of the Danube River, Vienna, [email protected]; Watch, please contact Executive Editor: Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov; Editor: Jake Friedly; [email protected] Design: Wagesreiter & Polaschek Grafikdesign OG; Print: Bernsteiner Media GmbH; Danube Watch is Online publishing: Alex Höbart; Cover photo: © Jan Volkermer, Impressions of available on the web the Climate Ride; Back cover collage: Danube Art Master 2020 Artworks. at www.icpdr.org Danube Watch is the official magazine of the ICPDR, the International Commis- sion for the Protection of the Danube River. Danube Watch enhances regional cooperation and information-sharing on sustainable water management and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin. It reports on current issues affecting the Danube Basin, and on action taken to deal with challenges in the river basin. Striving for scientific accuracy while remaining concise, clear and readable, it is produced for the wide range of people who are actively involved in the Danube River Basin and are working to improve its environment. Printed according to the Austrian Ecolabel EU Ecolabel : AT/28/026 criteria for printed matter The ICPDR accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard Bernsteiner Media GmbH, RL-24, UWZ Nr. 785 to information or opinions of the authors of the articles in this issue. Danube Watch is printed on Desistar (100% Recycling) 170 & 100 g/m2.

DANUBE WATCH 3 News & Events

EU Announces Three Public Consultations On Climate Action Three online public consultations being run by DG CLIMA are currently underway, focusing on three essential actions by the EU

This initiative aims to engage all parts of society in climate action, hoping to gather views from a broad range of people and organisations across the EU – from national, regional and local authorities to businesses, unions, civil society organisations, educational institutions, research and innovation organisations, consumer groups and individual citizens. The ICPDR’s own Strat- egy On Adaptation To Climate Change has already put us at the forefront of addressing the serious threat Climate Change poses to transboundary river systems. 2012. Climate change poses a serious threat to our ability to man- As a leader and pioneer among transboundary river basin com- age our water resources in the Danube River Basin. In response, missions in responding to climate change, the ICPDR adopted the ICPDR updated its Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in the first ICPDR Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in 2018 based on the most recent research in the field.

River Blue Film Screening (Postponed) advocate, Mark Angelo, guides us through the declining health of these important waterways. More information: © ICPDR http://riverbluethemovie.eco/

This event however, was ultimately postponed due to continuing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Panellists for discussion after the screening were planned to be Ivan Zavadsky- Executive Sec- retary, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), Stefanie Erhartmaier- Co-Head Fashion Department, WearFair +more and Martin Nesirky- Director, United Nations Infor- mation Service (UNIS) Vienna, who would have acted as moderator. The event is currently earmarked to be rescheduled for a future date. Vienna, 14th September 2020 - “Ciné-ONU Vienna” planned a screening of the documentary film, RiverBlue by David McIlvride “Ciné-ONU Vienna” is part of a Europe-wide initiative of regular and Roger Williams at Vienna’s Topkino. film screenings of UN related topics followed by podium discus- sions with invited guests who were part of the film making process RiverBlue discovers the toxic side effects of textile production or are experts in the topic covered by the film. The United Nations and jean manufacturing on some of the world's largest rivers. Information Service (UNIS) Vienna is honoured to have “Ciné-ONU Travelling from tanneries along rivers in India, to some of the Vienna” partner with this human world (THW) film festival and Top largest jean manufacturing factories in China, renowned river Kino for the regular film screenings in Vienna.

4 DANUBE WATCH Danube Day 2020: “Discover Danube!” line. The variety of online activities that took place included games, a one-off website, online talks, video conferences, shareable short © ICPDR films and special articles in place of physical events.

Danube Day celebrates the Danube and the rivers that flow into it, and the vital role they play in providing water, food, power, recreation and livelihood. Danube Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Danube River Protection Convention in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1994. Even during a pandemic, when our cities, socie- ties and lifestyles are being interrupted, preserving our most pre- cious resource – water – never stops being a top priority.

Vienna, 29th June 2020 - Danube Day 2020 moved online this The President of the ICPDR in 2020, Dorin Andros of Moldova, said: year, due to the uncertainty, necessary border-closures and “It is of no surprise that we continue to celebrate the strength and quarantine measures stemming from the global COVID-19 vitality of our Danube family on the 29th of June as we do every pandemic. Under normal circumstances, on the 29th of June year, even amidst a pandemic unlike anything we have seen before. we would invite almost eighty million people in the 14 Danube The ICPDR and our partners throughout the Danube Region have countries to celebrate Danube Day, and learn about and expe- always shown exemplary strength in working together to make rience the waters of the world’s most international river basin. Danube waters healthier, not to mention prepared for climate change. This year is presenting a new challenge however, calling This year, most public events were cancelled throughout the for newer solutions and an increased sense of ‘digital solidarity’ – Danube River Basin so the celebration of the River Danube was a and we are meeting the challenge magnificently”. little different and the public were able to #DiscoverDanube on-

NextGenerationEU: State of the Union Address Reveals New Green Funds for the EU Vienna, 17th September 2020 – At yesterday's State of the Union address, Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Com- © EC mission – outlined a vision for Europe to emerge stronger than ever from 2020's pandemic crisis. NextGenerationEU is a new kind of recovery plan; a once in a lifetime opportunity for change, with a focus on becoming green, digital and more resilient.

"37% of NextGenerationEU will be spent directly on our European Green Deal objectives", stated President von der Leyen at the Euro- pean Parliament in Brussels. "I want NextGenerationEU to kick-start a European renovation wave and make our Union a leader in the circular economy".

The Next Generation EU recovery is going to be essential for the EU which have already been the focus of various projects run in to reach its target to cut emissions by 55%, first envisaged by the partnership with the ICPDR, funded by the EU's Danube Trans- European Green Deal proposed by the commission back in Decem- national Programme. ber 2019. To read more about the European Green Deal and what it means The announcement this week re-emphasises the aims of the Green for the Danube River Basin and the ICPDR, see our article in this New Deal and other environmental aims of the European Union, edition on pages 6-7 which focuses on exactly that.

DANUBE WATCH 5 The European Green Deal: Cultivating a Strong Future

he ever-looming threats that climate change and T environmental degradation pose to humanity globally cannot be denied or ignored if we are to survive on this planet. New approaches and strategies must be developed and embraced globally. To this end, the European Union is working to transform its economy into something more modern, resource-efficient and competitive. The European Green Deal is the plan to make the EU's economy sustainable.

This EU green economy, as laid out in the European Green Deal, will have no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it will decouple economic growth from resource use, and it will move forward as a unit- © Unsplash ed force: bringing every person and place the regulatory framework for competitive to create greener architecture to push in the EU into the future. This can be done decarbonised gas markets and revision of down emissions. Transportation will be by turning climate and environmental chal- the Energy Taxation Directive. addressed through revising the Directive lenges into opportunities, and by making on Intelligent Transport Systems and the the transition just and inclusive for all. Moving toward sustainable industry is Directive on Deployment of Alternative -Fu also key. Essential points of this policy els Infrastructure as well as changing regu- Goals include boosting the modern aspects of lations setting CO2 emission performance There are many goals within the EU Green industries, influencing the exploration standards for cars and light commercial ve- Deal. For example, clean energy will be and creation of “climate neutral” circu- hicles and legislative proposal on develop- pursued with the idea of prioritising en- lar-economy friendly goods markets as ment of post-Euro6/VI emission standards ergy efficiency, developing a power sector well as discouraging production of -sin for cars, vans, lorries and buses. based largely on renewable resources, se- gle-use materials. Importantly, this also curing an affordable EU energy supply and entails the decarbonisation and modern- The ‘From Farm to Fork’ strategy seeks to having a fully integrated, interconnected isation of energy-intensive industrial ma- implement solutions to the issue of food and digitalised EU energy market. This will terials such as steel and cement. sustainability while supporting farmers be achieved through a revision of the Re- and fishermen. The EU will seek to push newable Energy Directive, the Energy Effi- Housing and transportation issues are also methods of production and transport of ciency Directive and the Directive on Ener- addressed. The future of housing is part- these foodstuffs in a climate-friendly- ap gy Performance of Buildings, and through ly set out via a plan for a new "European proach, hoping to increase efficiency as a legislative proposal to address methane Bauhaus" – a co-creation platform for -ar well. Set targets include decreasing the emissions in the energy sector, revision of chitects, engineers and designers aiming use of chemical pesticides, increasing the

6 DANUBE WATCH availability of healthy food options and emission reductions to at least -50% and helping consumers to better understand towards -55%, compared to 1990 emis- the health ratings of products and sustain- sion levels. The Commission has invited able packaging. all stakeholders and citizens to submit views on the EU’s 2030 climate ambition Action increase and the action and policy de- The European Green Deal is not simply high sign necessary for deeper greenhouse rhetoric or empty words; the Deal provides gas emission reductions as well as the an action plan which entails boosting the EU’s new strategy on adaptation to cli- efficient use of resources by moving to a mate change. The input from the open

clean, circular economy as well as restor- public consultations will be used to © EC ing biodiversity while also cutting pollu- shape the Pact ahead of its launch. tion. Furthermore, what investments are Timeline of the European Green Deal needed and where as well as available fi- ICPDR and Climate Change Initiatives nancing tools are both outlined to provide The aims of the Green New Deal and 17 September 2020 a clear picture of the journey ahead. It also other environmental aims of the Euro- Presentation of the 2030 Climate explains how to ensure a just and inclusive pean Union have already been the focus Target Plan transition: a very important aspect of work of various projects run in partnership 8 July 2020 to be done. with the ICPDR, and funded by the EU's Adoption of the EU strategies for Danube Transnational Programme. energy system integration and - hy The EU has set the goal to be climate neu- drogen to pave the way towards a tral in 2050. In order to achieve this, and to This is partly reflected by the first Strat- fully decarbonised, more efficient reflect the seriousness of this goal, a Euro- egy on Adaptation to Climate Change and interconnected energy sector pean Climate Law has been proposed. This from 2012 and its 2018 updated ver- 20 May 2020 would turn this political commitment into sion. The ICPDR Strategy on Adapta- Presentation of the EU Biodiversi- a legal obligation. That is not to say that tion to Climate Change seeks to offer ty Strategy for 2030 to protect the this obligation will be imposed without guidance on the integration of climate fragile natural resources on our foresight; The EU will also provide financial change adaptation into ICPDR planning planet support and technical assistance to help processes. Further, it promotes multi- 20 May 2020 those that are most affected by the move lateral and transboundary cooperative Presentation of the ‘Farm to fork towards the green economy. This tool is action in the context of climate change strategy’ to make food systems called the Just Transition Mechanism, and adaptation and serves as a reference for more sustainable It will put at least €100 billion to work over national policy makers and other offi- 11 March 2020 a six-year period from 2021-2027 in the cials. Proposal of a Circular Economy Ac- most affected regions. tion Plan focusing on sustainable Additionally, the EU Strategy for the resource use Public Involvement Danube Region (EUSDR) shows how 10 March 2020 Alongside government policies and regu- cooperative frameworks and existing Adoption of the European Industrial lation, there is a role to play for citizens, institutions that help Member States to Strategy, a plan for a future-ready communities and organisations in all sec- implement EU legislation, like those to economy tors of our society and economy. The Euro- come out of the EU Green Deal, can be 4 March 2020 pean Climate Pact aims to give citizens and strengthened and supported. Close co- Proposal for a European climate law stakeholders a voice and role in designing operation with the ICPDR with its expe- to ensure a climate neutral Europe- new climate actions, sharing information, rience and mandate in water manage- an Union by 2050. launching grass-roots activities and show- ment is therefore very important. Public consultation (open until 17 casing solutions that others can follow. June 2020) on the European Climate With climate change impacts already here The ICPDR's wealth of experience in Pact bringing together regions, local now, impacting people, the planet and matters of climate change adaptation, communities, civil society, business- prosperity pervasively, the recovery from transnational and inter-organisation co- es and schools the current crisis will be an opportunity to operation, member state support and 14 January 2020 make our society more resilient. public involvement will prove to be em- Presentation of the European Green inently useful in helping to direct and Deal Investment Plan and the Just As part of the European Green Deal, the progress the plans put forward in the Transition Mechanism Commission will put forward a comprehen- EU Green Deal. The ambitious goals laid 11 December 2019 sive plan to increase the EU’s 2030 climate out will also go a long way to protect the Presentation of the European Green target in September this year. The plan will Danube, and to encourage its sustain- Deal propose to increase the EU’s current 2030 able use: making ICPDR's, and the EU's target of at least -40% greenhouse gas goals ever more attainable.

DANUBE WATCH 7 15 Years of Cooperation and Fruitful Partnership

The Sava River is the largest tribu- tary in terms of discharge, and the second largest in terms of catchment area, in the most international river basin of the world shared by 19 countries: the Danube River Basin.

The history of the Sava Commission goes back to early 1990s, when changes in the political landscape of the Western Balkans triggered the establishment of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Eu- rope, which, in June 2001, supported the launch of the Sava Initiative. The negotiations under its umbrella paved the way for speedy negotiations amongst the newly independent states of Slo- venia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia for the Framework Agree- ment on the Sava River Basin (FASRB), signed in December 2002. As a result of these quick and successful international processes, the International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC), or, as it is better known, the Sava Commission, was established over the course of the 27th-29th of June 2005. Author: Ivan Zavadksy, Executive Secretary of the ICPDR

In the 15 years since that time, the Sava Commission has facilitated and supported progress in establishing flood risk reduction systems, developing sustainable navigation systems and pushing for the development of the first Sava River Basin Management Plan; just to name a - also a few key achievements.

Since its establishment, the Sava Com- mission has adopted a handful of proto- cols, namely the Protocol on Navigation Regime, the Protocol on Flood Protec- tion, the Protocol on Prevention of Wa- ter Pollution Caused by Navigation and the Protocol on Sediment Management, ample, the Sava Flood Forecasting and on the 1st of June, are further examples which extended the regulatory frame- Warning System inspires the work on the of this mutual interaction and connection. work of the FASRB in a systemic way. Danube Hydrological Information System. The DRB Adaptation Strategy stimulated Another example that deserves praise is In addition to legislative, policy devel- the establishment and subsequent activi- opment and technical work, the Sava © Bosko Tintor ties of the Sava Youth Parliament - a body Commission has paid special attention to comprised of, not only the Commission’s the development of sustainable tourism, future stakeholders, but also the future foreseeing the huge development po- managers of the Sava Basin and guardi- tential of the Sava River banks for cycling ans of the Sava River and its environmen- with intermodal arrangements (bicycle/ tal values and ecosystem services, which train/boat) crossing borders from its the Parliament nurtures. source to its mouth. Cooperation between the ICPDR and the The ICPDR, together with our sister Dan- Sava Commission is an outstanding ex- ube Commission – responsible for navi- ample of the principle of a subsidiarity gation on the Danube River - is proud of addressing the special needs of a large the real result of this cooperation: the international sub-basin while expanding development of the Joint Statement on on the achievements of its larger part- Guiding Principles of the Development ner, the ICPDR. The Sava Commission, of Inland Navigation and Environmental from the very beginning of its existence, Protection in the Danube River Basin. has not only brought in numerous results This guiding document for the main- and tools for improved water resources tenance of existing waterways and the management, navigation and sustaina- development of future waterway infra- development of the Outline of the Cli- ble development, but has also shown the structure brought about several good mate Adaptation Strategy for Sava River key essence of management for trans- practices projects, balancing the interest Basin. Danube Day, being celebrated on boundary rivers and basins in practice – of the development of inland navigation the 29th of June and Sava Day, celebrated mutual trust, cooperation and solidarity. with the need for environmental protection and restoration. Its implementation, © ISRBC regularly moving forward and cultivated by yearly meetings of key partners and stakeholders, is another example of joint activity bringing benefits to both the navigation sector as well as the- imple mentation of the EU WFD.

Cooperation between our two Com- missions has the important effects of cross-fertilisation and inspiration. For- ex Practical Guidelines on Planning Natural and Small Water Retention in River Basins

Despite the significant progress across Europe towards achieving good ecological and chemical status of freshwaters as required by the EU Water Framework Directive, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to achieve a better status of fauna and flora, as well as favourable hydrological and chemical characteris- tics. Various types of measures listed under the name Natural (Small) Water Retention Measures (N(S)WRM) can have significant positive effects on solving environmental problems such as hydrological extremes, nutrients’ transport and decreased biodiversity.

FramWat project The limited implementation of the natural (small) water retention measures (N(S)WRM) across the whole region negatively affects the vulnerability of environmental resources (water, biodiversity and soil) to climate impacts (frequent severe floods and droughts) and man-made pressures. Therefore, nine partners from six Central European countries in a framework of the FramWat project (Framework for improving water balance and nutrient mitigation by applying small water retention measures) developed a practical guidance for planning Natural (Small) Water Retention Measures (N(S)WRM) in the river basins. Step-by-step guide to the application of N(S)WRM in river basins The main aim of a 3-year long (2017 – 2020) FramWat The Guidelines address the knowledge gap and issues related to the integra- project, funded by Interreg Central Europe, was to tion of N(S)WRMs into the third cycle of river basin management plans in line support and boost knowledge on more systematic ap- with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The target groups of the guide- proaches towards the application of N(S)WRM in river lines are decision-makers, experts and stakeholders involved in the design and basins. Limited integration of N(S)WRM in river basins implementation of N(S)WRMs as part of plans and programmes addressing and flood risk management is primarily a consequence cross-cutting water management, climate change, biodiversity, forestry, agri- of the lack of a knowledge base and tools for planning, culture and land use issues. assessing and implementing the multiple benefits of such measures at the river basin scale. The primary fo- The added value of the Guidelines is the fact that it is based on the analytical cus of the FramWat project was therefore to increase work of the FramWat project and coordinated testing in real pilot catchments the skills and capacities of water authorities and the in six countries in Central Europe. The Guidelines offer a connection with all related stakeholders for the sustainable use of land- important outputs developed within the FramWat project, best practices scape, and to develop an innovative systematic - ap from participating countries and practical recommendations from pilot catch- proach to support the implementation of N(S)WRM. ments through the 5-step process of N(S)WRM planning:

10 DANUBE WATCH Practical Guidelines on Planning Natural and Small Decision Support System for planning of Natural (Small) Water Retention Measures Water Retention in River Basins In order to support the 5-step approach, FramWat partners developed the De- Rehabilitation of clay pit in Renče, Slovenia (Anja Potokar) cision Support System for planning of Natural (Small) Water Retention Meas- ures which introduces and integrates access to different FramWat tools. It was Closed canal used as a water reservoir for the old Iron Mill created for people involved in planning water retention measures to mitigate in Nietulisko, Poland (WULS) the effects of drought, floods and surface contamination by biogenes. The goal of the application is to familiarise the user with the catalogue of N(S)WRM and the planning process, as well as to survey their preferences for their area of interest. Part of the DSS is the N(S)WRM planner which facilitates the inclusion of local stakeholders' preferences for planning measures in the field of water retention. It is helpful in data preparation, and necessary for developing a con- cept plan and estimating the investment risk.

New Guidelines are well-timed for decision-makers with appropriate tools to incorporate N(S)WRM into the river basin management plans for 2022-2027. They offer guidance and raise awareness of the importance of the horizontal integration of different planning frameworks.

Green infrastructure will play a vital role in economic recovery from the coronavi- rus pandemic. A recently approved recovery instrument offers an opportunity to solve heritage from the past regarding environmental burdens, fix current lack of water supply and sanitation and look ahead to the implementation of structural reforms, facilitation of innovation and support of climate-proof solutions. Not all the priorities are directly connected to water, although water is an important connector, particularly with respect to climate change.

The Guidelines highlight the importance of stakeholder involvement and social capital for the successful uptake of N(S)WRMs. The pilot actions benefited from a bottom-up approach and the cross-sectoral cooperation of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and civil protection sectors.

The Guidelines are among the most important outputs of the FramWat project. They connect and summarise all other outputs in a holistic way. The publication is therefore a must-read for anyone interested in river basin management or land use planning. For more information on these documents, please contact: Old water threshold made from railway sleepers on the river Kam- ienna, Poland (WULS)

Karst Pond in Goče, Slovenia (GWP CEE)

Link to the Guidelines: https://www.interreg- central.eu/Content. Node/DT353-Guidelines.pdf

Authors: Sabina Bokal, Senior Project Coordinator at the Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe. Coming from Slovenia, passionate about water and the environment. She has been part of the GWP CEE team for the past 7 years, working on projects related to IWRM, climate change, natural based solutions and transboundary cooperation.Tomasz Okruszko, Professor at Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Chair of GWP CEE, Coordinator of the Interreg CE Framwat project.

DANUBE WATCH 11 Due to the various restrictions on public gatherings throughout the Danube River Basin as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many of this year's Danube Day celebrations were shifted, and the public invited to #DiscoverDanube online!

Although it wasn't intended, our motto still fit the situation, and our partners throughout the Danube River will be continuing to educate and inform you all about the Danube River, and will remain happy to answer any and all queries you may have. Our partners all remain involved in Danube Day 2020, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with them or us.

Find out more about Danube day events here: www.danubeday.org and on page 24 - 25 in the fold-out map.

When Time Spent in the Water Pans Out:

We already know that the Danube and its tributaries are valuable treasures. But could it be that the Danube is littered with actual treasure? There is gold in the Danube. From tiny flecks to small grains (and very occasionally larger pieces), hiding in the sediment under certain stretches of the river's waters lies a sprinkling of gold. Let's dive into the story of Danube gold and those who still hunt for it today.

A Golden History ry, it is estimated that from the Danube of larger gold nuggets found around the There are stories that the Celts would go main stem and the Inn river, as much as 50 Danube has decreased over the years, in to the tributaries of the Danube in search grams of gold was being found in the riv- large part because hobbyist gold-hunters of gold, although the high-water mark of erbed annually. Also estimated is that be- largely use very similar techniques to those gold gathering in the Danube came un- tween the 15th and 18th centuries, a total historically used over centuries – such as der the Romans. Hunting for gold in the of 20 kilograms of gold was panned out of panning – rather than larger-scale meth- river continued thereafter with a method these sources. ods which would result in gold nuggets, called “panning” (using a large metal pan and which have since fallen out of use. to agitate gravel from the river bed with a With the colonisation of the Americas by generous amount of water so that the gold European powers, and the subsequent Sources Today particles, being more dense than the other discovery and mining of gold there, min- The tributaries of the Danube are espe- material, settle to the bottom of the pan. ing gold in the region of the Danube River cially favoured by modern-day gold-pan- The lighter material such as sand, mud and Basin became ever less profitable. Even ners. Along the river Enns, from the town gravel are then washed over the side of panning for gold in the rivers and streams of Steyr to where it meets the main arm of the pan, leaving the gold behind). This is became unprofitable by the 19th century the Danube, it is estimated that there is an a common method used by gold-hunting for all but a few private gold-hunters. How- average of 0.14 grams of gold per ton of hobbyists to this day. ever, there was still gold to be found, and gravel. In certain areas though, this concen- in 1924 in Austria, 40kg of gold was collect- tration could also be over 2 grams per ton. Gold-panners were already on historical ed from various sources (mostly mining). Gold is to be found here largely because record around Linz in the 15th century, its gold-containing banks are being slowly and the following century would be very It is still possible to find gold nuggets or eroded by the Enns, thus allowing the pre- productive for gold collecting from the grains, although gold specks and dust are cious metals contained within to enter the Danube River Basin. By the 18th centu- far more common these days. The number river and mix with the sediment below.

14 DANUBE WATCH Author: Jake Friedly has been the freelance editor of Danube Watch since 2019. He holds a joint-Mas- For the main arm of the Danube itself, it main in the pan. Finally, with a horizontal ters degree in Global Studies from the is thought that the origin of its gold may pendulum-motion, the gold dust can be University of Vienna and Leipzig Univer- not be from deposits high up in the moun- separated from the remaining material. sity. Born in the American west, he has actu tains brought down by streams, but rather ally tried his hand at panning for gold in former gold-rush territory – where from glacial shifts long ago. These shifting This is a very simplified idea of what it dreams of riches sadly eluded him. glaciers may have exposed and loosened takes to pan for gold. The work is hard and gold deposits which would have fallen out requires patience and endurance. One much later. The same may very well be true gold-panning enthusiast's estimate was adults. The search for gold in and around for the Enns and other Danube tributaries. that for every gram of gold dust taken out the rivers of the Danube Basin is a big at- of the Danube and most of its tributaries, traction for many, and adds to tourism in How To Pan 4,000 pans of material would have to be these areas. Some places offer courses on According to the amateur “professionals”, sifted as described above. A regular hobby- the history of panning for gold around the to pan for gold you need to take a gold-pan ist in the Danube River Basin can expertly Danube as well as how-to lessons on pan- to a river or stream – simple so far. Most al- pan through 20kg of sand and sediment in ning itself. With gold-flakes easy to come pine rivers that flow into the Danube have about one minute, and likely come away away with after a little effort, the results a “gold-sand area” found at bends in the with a few gold flakes each time. are exciting (if not exceptionally valuable) river where sandy sediment is pushed out for participants. Add to that the main el- of the water by the flow. To find the gold, The reality is that there is no big win to be ement that attracts long-time hobbyists – you must scoop some of the sand into the had. Weighing the work to pay-out shows time spent in nature and around the beau- pan with water and move this mixture that this work is not going to pay the bills; tiful rivers of the region – and the result is around in a circular motion, carefully al- but for the regular hobbyist it is eminently a unique experience. lowing the sand to spill out over the edges. enjoyable. In fact, hunting for gold is not Because the gold is heavier, it should re- just for dedicated hobbyists, or even just

DANUBE WATCH 15 Climate Ride: Cycling 800 Kilometres Along the Danube to Raise Money for Climate Action

How to fundraise for Climate Change? Doing a “cycling challenge” seemed a great way of showing commitment, offering a great conversation starter, and doing it with a means – the bicycle Sunday August 23: Day 1: – that we as a society still underutilise. From Donaueschingen to The Climate Change crisis – in how Rieslingen – 128km @ 21,6km/h, it relates to our over-exhaustion of 7:15 hours planetary resources so closely linked to the causes of the pandemic – won out Stunningly beautiful is the only adjec- as the core purpose for the ride. tive that seems fitting to the Upper Danube valley, and no, I am not exag- ClimateRide.org organises these, but gerating. Cycling along the river, find- Freepik 2020. Illus., Ride Climate © Fotos, COVID had done away with the idea ing both agriculture and nature parks of participating in something that was along the way, we were constantly stunned by yet more pieces of natural organised by others. No big group or man-made beauty. gatherings anymore, whether in one room or along one ride. Along today’s path, we saw pretty much everything that water resources The numbers reflect our ambition management has to offer in terms of – “EightToOne”: the ride covered challenges: regulating stream flow, irri- 800 km, riding for 7 Days, resting 6 gation, water protection zones, various Nights, writing 5 Blog Entries, on 4 mills and others machinery generating Wheels (2 bicycles), using 3 means of electricity from water, two wastewater paths” we cycled showed us the GREEN side transportation (in addition to 800km treatment plants (a nice new one and of the Danube. All along the Danube here covered by bike, we used trains and a stinky old one) and water used for practically not a soul other than us, the oc- boats); all of this bringing 2 generations recreation and ecological rejuvenation casional walker or hiker, an odd cyclist or together, along this 1 magnificent river. projects along parts of the Danube. two, but other than that – nature pure. Monday August 24: Tuesday, August 25: Why the Danube? The Danube, while Day 2: Day 3: From Riedlingen to Dillingen From Dillingen to Ingolstadt, in good hands with the International – 127km @ 21.4km/h, 7:30 hours 100.14 km @ 21.4km/h Commission for the Protection of the River Danube (ICPDR), nonetheless I had not realised that there are places Donauwörth is what is called a “Sponge faces huge climate related challenges where the Danube looks like the Am- City” – having protected its old town from – as documented by ICPDR through its azon – slowly moving, surrounded by flooding through 6.5m high gates. By inte- Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: what seems like the Swabian version of grating water-permeable materials with a www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/ “jungle”. Waterlillies, spatterdock – in sponge-like structure and through smart climate-change-adaptation the Danube? Really? Well, the “nature planning of water areas, they allow the

16 DANUBE WATCH ground to absorb water. This does not just is literally no space for anyone to walk, prevent floods; in warm temperatures, es- cycle or drive made up of steep walls and pecially in summer, the ground emits wa- vegetation. What to do? Another bridge? ter step by step and provides - in combi- No: the ingenious Austrians have set up nation with the wind - a very comfortable ferry-services to cater to both walkers and micro-climate. (mostly) cyclists. Neat little mini-barges that will take you along the Danube, for Wednesday, August 26: the five to ten minutes that you need to Day 4: From Ingolstadt to Regensburg cover the few kilometres without a path…. and Passau, 85.6km @ 21.9 km/h, for the steep fare of 4 Euros a pop. 3:53 hours Friday, August 28: Day 6: Today we cycled over bridges – bridges, From Linz to Melk, 119.9 km bridges and bridges. The Danube features, @ 23.4 km/h, 6:10 hours not surprisingly, hundreds of bridges. Conclusion From a cycling point of view, all this bridge South of Linz, there is only one path As we cycled, we learned, and we talked business can be a bit of a nuisance, usu- along the Danube, the “Northern Cycle about what we learned. ClimateRide.org – ally involving narrow and tight ups and Path”; along the southern side of the the organisation under whose auspices we downs and often not-easy-to-manoeuvre river, there is no space – it is completely organised the challenge – is all about “hu- pavement. But there are upsides. As we taken up by industrial harbour structures man powered activity”. And indeed, there criss-crossed the Danube and some of its and by industrial plants. The biggest of is a certain magic to this. Quoting Clima- little side-arms, we could stop and check them belongs to Voestalpine, Austria’s teRide.org’s mission statement, I note that out the fish. Fish love bridges, it seems, largest Steel producer and single largest yes: We are all feeling concerned, anxious because of the shade they give and since CO2 emitter, accountable for about 10% or overwhelmed by climate change. The they slow the river's current. Just looking of Austria’s total CO2 emissions. We cy- threats to our world are numerous and down, we could see fish hopping about cled by a huge Voestalpine poster and growing more complex each day. While so – many different ones, small and large. It reminded ourselves that steel and rivers many – in particular young people – care turns out that the Danube river basin is belong together in some way; the rivers deeply and want to help address the prob- home to numerous species such as pike, are needed to bring key resources, includ- lem, the enormity of the challenge and the zander, huchen, catfish and many more! ing coal for the smelting processes, to political tone around climate change can provide water for cooling and to transport feel dispiriting and disempowering. Our Day 5: Thursday, August 27: steel plates further on, once produced. Danube Climate Ride offered us the chance From Passau to Linz, 89.2km Voestalpine, as per their own declara- to take on a challenge much bigger than @ 25.7 km/h, 5:45 hours tions, is trying to look ahead, though: the ourselves – and to share our journey with European “Green Deal” will require them our personal networks, helping to amplify by 2050 to produce CO2 free. support and reaffirming friendships and connections, all the while fundraising for Day 7: Saturday, August 29: climate change action. From Melk to Vienna, 151 km @ 25.4 km/h, 7:48 hours travel time and 5:55 hours in the saddle…. YES, we did it! 801 kilometres completed.

Today, we again came across the sign “Kli- mabuendnis”, put right underneath several town signs, visible to anyone crossing their boundaries. So this is interesting: the “Klimabuendnis” or “Climate Alliance” is an association of some 1,800 towns and municipalities across 26 European countries – and members joining the group We had been warned about “hordes” of commit to reducing CO2 emissions by 10% vacation-cyclists, crowding the bike paths every 5 years, to implement measures in along the Danube. But on the Northern energy conservation, energy efficiency and Path – with a few exceptions, we had it in using renewable energy. Austria has a By Monika Weber-Fahr and Jan Volkemer pretty much for ourselves. Having said very activist outfit that woos many smaller Read the wonderfully detailed full blog of this that, the path does not go “all the way” – villages and counties to join, explaining the journey and fundraising effort: there are two stretches along which there strong uptake here. https://donauclimateride2020.wordpress.com

DANUBE WATCH 17 Vienna and its Waters An Environmental History

ourists visiting Vienna are often However, the disappointed to discover that the Danube was by T historical centre of Vienna is locat- far not the only ed on a small canal, but by no means on watercourse of the much sung-of "Schöne blaue Donau" the city. On the (“Beautiful blue Danube”). In the pres- slopes of “Wie- ent, even Viennese residents can hardly nerwald” (“Vienna Woods”), numerous 18th century, it was mainly the nobility understand that Vienna is a water city. brooks sprang up, which flowed into the and the imperial court that profited from However, a look at the history of urban Danube. They determined the location of this. All of these facilities and installations waters shows that this could once have the suburbs and businesses, as well as the drew groundwater and reduced the al- been rightly asserted. course of streets. The two largest streams ready insufficient outflow. With a growing were the Wien River and the Liesing. The population, the discharge of sewage into Before the First Viennese Danube Regula- mean discharge of the smaller streams the Wienerwald streams and the Dan- tion in the years 1870 - 1875, the Danube did not even reach 100 litres/second, with ube channel also increased. From 1753 branched into several arms in the Vien- the exception of the Alsbach. The Wien onwards, the city authorities promoted na Basin. The Danube landscape, with its River, as a watercourse close to the city, sewers to solve the disposal problem. It dynamic river arms, few oxbow lakes and was accordingly a centre of historical wa- is remarkable that this intensified the alluvial zones, reached a width of several ter usage in Vienna. A large part of the pollution of Vienna's waters until around kilometres. Both the Roman Vindobona 110 mills that existed around 1825 with- 1900. Before sewers existed, houses had and the medieval city were built on the in today's city boundaries were located cesspools, the contents of which were banks of former large river arms, which here. They were built on mill streams that discharged into the Danube outside the might have been even the main arms ran parallel to the Wien River. Here they built-up area. After, domestic sewage was during the respective time periods. Ac- could not be destroyed by the floods that discharged into the creeks and then into tually, Vienna was once located on the occurred during heavy rainfall in a very the Danube channel. In the 19th centu- Danube. From the 13th century onwards, short time. In addition, during periods of ry, the Wienerwald streams and Danube the main arm of the river shifted further low flow, the water was concentrated in channel increasingly degenerated into and further to the north-east away from these small canals, whereas in the wide cloaks. According to historical sources, the centre. Countless water engineer- bed of Wien River, a large part of the dis- around 1870 the storage of fish in the ing projects followed. Until well into the charge would have seeped away. At the Danube channel before sale had finally 19th century, the supply of the city de- other Wienerwald streams near the city, become a health risk. pended on a navigable Danube arm near only a few mills were operated and these the city. The "Wiener Arm", which had had to be stopped frequently because the The successive transformation of the Wie- been called the "Donaukanal" (“Danube water flow was too low. nerwald streams into sewers finally sealed channel”) after 1704, therefore served their fate. When the first cholera epidemic primarily as a transport route. Along From the 16th century onwards, the wa- hit Vienna in 1831, main sewer canals were the banks, one could find the ship's land- ter quantity of these small streams de- built on both banks of the Wien River. Gen- ing places, storage yards for wood, mar- creased even further: as the population of erous plans to vault the river were realised kets or many administrative institutions the city grew, the number of drinking wa- only in small sections. This was different that were entrusted with shipping and ter wells increased. Springs also supplied for the numerous other urban Danube trade. the first water pipes - although until the tributaries. They gradually disappeared

18 DANUBE WATCH Vienna

underground from the 1840s onwards. Only the upper reaches situated outside the built-up area remained, and today rep- resent important aquatic habitats.

At present, a large part of the historic water city Vienna is hidden underground and only indirectly visible. For example, some streets in the 9th and 2nd districts follow former river arms of the Danube. In the suburbs, main traffic axes indicate the course of the former streams, as in the case of Alserbachstraße or Hernalser Hauptstraße.

The Danube, the Wien or the Liesing rivers as still existing urban surface waters expe- rienced numerous technical interventions until the 1990s. Today, flood protection dams characterise all three waters. On the Wien and Liesing rivers, long stretches of the riverbed was also paved over. The Dan- ube was continuously expanded for shipping and a decade-old hydroelectric power project was implemented in the 1990s. It is only in the last two decades that the restoration of the waters has come to the forefront.

The traces of Vienna's water landscape, the interlinkage of water and spatial development of the city as well as the beneficial uses and threats of urban waters, are the subject of a book on the environmental history of Vienna's waters, which was pub- lished in 2019.

Gertrud Haidvogl is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. She is one of the co-authors of the above mentioned book which provides a much expanded history of Vienna's relationship with its historic waterways. ZUG – Zentrum für Umweltgeschichte (ed., 2019): Wasser Stadt Wien. Eine Umweltgeschichte. Institut für Hydrobiologie und Gewässermanagement (IHG) & Institut für Soziale Ökologie (SEC), Universität für Bodenkultur Wien and Forschungsbereich Städtebau, Technische Universität Wien. Wien. 496 pages. ISBN: 978-3-900932-67-1. Free pdf (currently only available in German) at: boku.ac.at/fileadmin/data/H03000/H81000/H81200/_TEMP_ /aktuell/ZUG_2019-Wasser_Stadt_Wien.pdf Order information for physical copies: https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/gewaesser/ buch-wasser-stadt-wien.html An Interview In the interview series "People of the Danube", Danube Watch presents personal with Andreas Beckmann portraits of individuals who are passionate about the Danube Basin and its waters.

What is your personal relation- the focus of the ICPDR’s attention: hydro- as having the greatest impact on positive ship to the Danube, and what morphological alterations, organic and nu- progress toward protecting the region? would you call your favourite place on trient pollution and hazardous substances, the Danube? not to mention climate change. One sign We have made real progress on address- of progress is the attention now paid to ing potential threats to the river system. I live in Vienna, one of four national cap- many of these issues. When I started working for what was then itals on the Danube, and spend a fair amount of my free time in and around the Many if not all river. I grew up on the upper Mississippi of these chal- River in the US, so I guess that the habitats, lenges come colors, sounds and smells are imprinted on back to how my DNA -- indeed, there are a lot of simi- we value and larities between the rivers. I love exploring relate to the the river and floodplains near Vienna, sun- natural world ning on gravel banks and listening under- on which ulti- water to the tinkle of stones rolling on the mately we all bottom of the river channel. There are of depend for our course many other more spectacular parts health, welfare of the river that are more distant from my and wellbeing. home, from the Kopaci Rit, the “Amazon It was only of Europe”, at the confluence of the Drava when we lost and the Danube, the islands of the lower the rich fish Danube with their colonies of pelicans and nurseries of other species, or the magnificent Danube the Danube delta. floodplains for example that © All fotos, Andreas BECKMANN In your position as Regional CEO for we realised WWF - Central and Eastern Europe, what what they meant to us in terms of fish pro- still the WWF Danube-Carpathian Pro- have you seen as the most important duction, flood management, water purifi- gramme (now “WWF-CEE”), there were challenge facing the region, and how cation and recreation. We need a New Deal EU and national plans to (if I put itpro- have the challenges facing the Danube for nature -- to re-set our relationship with vocatively) turn the Danube into a canal, changed over time? the natural world on which we all depend. and WWF ran a campaign to “fit the ships to the river, not the river to the ships”. To- There has been some substantial progress During your time with WWF, what has day -- facilitated by the ICPDR -- we have -- not too long ago, large sections of the been a positive step forward in the right agreed guidelines and best practice for the Danube were unswimmable; since then, direction that you have been most happy development of inland navigation on the water quality has substantially improved. to see? Alternatively, what achievement Danube, and WWF is working closely with Key challenges remain, including those at during your time with WWF do you see viadonau and other navigation interests to

20 DANUBE WATCH Andreas Beckmann, Regional CEO of the WWF Central and Eastern Europe

identify and develop practical solutions for the WWF-CEE's role as ICPDR observer? For us in the WWF, the ICPDR serves as an transport and environment. inspiration and example for basin commis- I have found the ICPDR to be a remarka- sions and stakeholder processes for other WWF has led or supported wetland res- ble platform that brings together not only river basins across the globe. For this rea- toration at over 30 sites across the Dan- different governments across the world’s son, the WWF presented the ICPDR with ube basin, most recently through the most international -- and possibly diverse the Gift to the Earth award in 2019 - WW- -- river basin, Fäs highest recognition of service to our but also dif- living planet. ferent sectors and You have said that we need radically new They are called floodplains for a reason...My wife Lena stakeholders, approaches to the way in which we use and I love criss-crossing what until recently was off-lim- its within the folds of the Iron Curtain that for fifty from busi- natural resources if we are ever going to years separated worlds and lives between East and nesses to or- be able to address climate change and West. We spent the Austrian national holiday (26th ganisations the degradation of ecosystems. What October) this year biking - and in places pushing like my own. can ordinary people outside of systems our bikes through thigh-to-waist deep water - The challeng- of power do to push for and implement through the floodplains of the Morava River in es facing us, these new approaches? Slovakia on the border with Austria. While the from nutri- Iron Curtain has been removed, the area is now ent pollution We all can do a lot, starting with the dai- protected by EU, national and international leg- to hydromor- ly choices we make related to our own islation for the conservation of nature -- the EU's phological consumption. Food is a major driver of Natura 2000 network of specially protected sites, changes, are biodiversity loss across the world; simply Zahorie Protected Landscape Area and the Mora- va-Dyje Ramsar Site. by their na- changing what we eat can benefit our own ture complex health and that of the planet. Housing and and can only transportation are also major drivers of be addressed biodiversity loss and climate change. We successfully also can influence those around us and the Living Danube Partnership in cooperation with the active involvement of different broader systems in which we exist and op- with The Coca-Cola Foundation and ICP- stakeholders. The ICPDR has managed very erate -- by raising awareness, taking action DR. It is great to see a growing number of well not only to facilitate communication and giving support, and, not least, voting. other organisations and authorities doing but also cooperation for tangible results. The challenges facing us can seem over- the same. We have lost 80% of the flood- The ICPDR has played a key role in im- whelming, so I think that acting together plains of the Danube and its main tribu- proving water quality across the Danube is important -- not only for impact, but also taries -- but at least some of them we can and is now central to the efforts to keep for solidarity and motivation. Sav- restore. Danube sturgeon from extinction. I and my ing the world can be a lot of fun. colleagues have appreciated not only the What do you consider a highlight of work- substance but also the spirit of real coop- ing with the ICPDR and the importance of eration there is in the ICPDR.

DANUBE WATCH 21 Danube Kayak Expedition 2020 GWP-CEE Ivanov, © Konstantin All photos To Celebrate Danube Day 2020, the Global Water Partnership – Central and Eastern Europe Decided to go on a Splashing Adventure.

rom the 19th to the 28th of June, length of the Bulgarian stretch of the Dan- There were times of heavy rain and stormy GWP CEE launched a social media mi- ube, the six Danube explorers had to cover weather, some wild waves due to strong F ni-campaign called Danube Kayak Ex- between 50km and 70km per day in order headwinds and one particularly close en- pedition 2020 to celebrate this year’s Dan- to arrive at the designated location in time counter with a large ferry, but the consen- ube Day. The 470km Bulgarian stretch of to celebrate Danube Day 2020. Of course, sus of all was that the journey was very the Danube River was to be conquered in in their three double-kayaks they were up fun, beautiful and worthwhile. nine days, while raising awareness of the to the challenge and arrived in time! issues affecting the river, potential solu- The DKE 2020 campaign has tions to these as well as GWP CEE's role. Some highlights included spotting all kinds been further promoted by or- The goal was to finishing on the eve of of wildlife native to the Danube. On one ganisations like the ICPDR, the Danube Day, which the world celebrated island, well over 100 pelicans were seen EU Strategy for the Danube on the 29th of June. all together – a fantastic sight! As wonder- Region, GWP and more. GWP

With Konstantin Ivanov, GWP-CEE's region- ful was glimpsing a rare Sea Eagle sever- CEE enjoyed this so much that they al coordinator, as a protagonist, the story al times while paddling downstream. Of decided to explore such events fur- of the DKE 2020 consists of a series of vlogs course, there were many species of fish ther and bring more action packed and pictures, documenting the kayak trip to be seen, and with fish come fishermen experiences, just like this one, in the down the Bulgarian strip of the Danube. and loads of different varieties of fish soup future. Each day, GWP CEE released a new post, to eat! discussing a different topic connected to the Danube. These ranged from its histori- This part of the Danube also offered beauti- cal and cultural background, industrial and ful islands with their own sandy beaches to environmental condition, all the way to its enjoy, the river's largest protected park and fauna and flora. the wonderful juxtaposition of these natural wonders and industrial centres built up The expedition actually began farther up- next to the river. And while some ships were More information: To follow Konstantin's story on our stream than originally planned, meaning sharing the river with the group, there were social media, search for: that the journey was roughly 10% longer far fewer than there would have been were #DanubeKayakExpedition, than anticipated. In order to cover the it not for the Covid-19 situation. #DanubeDay, #DiscoverDanube.

22 DANUBE WATCH Fold out to get a glimpse of the Danube Day celebrations in the Danube River Basin

Dear Danube Family, On June 29th each year, the 14 countries of the Danube River Basin jointly celebrate one of Europe’s greatest river systems, along with its people and the wildlife that rely on it. So what went on for Danube Day this year? during this crisis, so have many of the Well, because of the various restric- participating countries for Danube Day. tions on public gatherings throughout the Danube River Basin as a result of the The Danube Passport from previous global COVID-19 pandemic, many of this years returned, but utilised an online year’s Danube Day celebrations were format this time around. Special web shifted, and the public was invited to pages for Danube Day 2020 were #DiscoverDanube online. Our partners all constructed all around. These included remained involved in Danube Day 2020, Danube-related quiz games for web and we all made the best of a difficult visitors to test their river knowledge situation to continue celebrating the as well as educational short videos all wonderful Danube river! about the many sights along the Dan- ube. There were even some online Despite almost all of our large activities events geared toward children and being either cancelled or postponed in- families that took place live, and can definitely for 2020, our member coun- still be viewed as videos on certain tries rose to the challenge to keep the Danube Day webpages. This also holds Danube Day spirit alive throughout this true for the several webinars host- global crisis. Just as many of us have ed by experts in many river-relevant embraced technological tool and the fields - which fostered wonderful dis- internet to continue getting things done cussions on the Danube. Dear Danube Family,

es for recreation (beaches, parks, bike lanes etc.) and also places that might need more attention (e.g. places in a bad condition, places that require a clean-up, The social media channels of various flooded zones etc.). The map could also government ministries and partner or- reveal some curious or lesser known ganisations all celebrated Danube Day facts about the river. with a wide variety of fun and informa- tive posts. While embracing all that new Finally, Susanne Brandstetter led virtu- media has to offer, traditional media al presentations on Danube Day 2020 was far from forgotten; water min- activities and ran a virtual tour de ta- istry newsletters and environment-fo- ble country-by-country. She also asked cused magazines and journals dedicated the representatives to end their pres- a great deal of focus on Danube Day entations with a few statements about 2020. Of course, these publications how important Danube Day is for their were also made available online. countries. All stressed the benefits of Danube Day celebrations as well as the This year, the Danube Art Master com- hope for a return of events in the near petition was made even more interesting future. with a new category and online partici- pation. As this year the motto was “Dis- The success of this year’s Danube Day cover Danube”, the new category we celebration can be credited to the var- introduced was: Maps! Participants were ious participating organisers from the encouraged to explore the riverbank Danube countries, partners and the and create a map that marks various public, as well as their willingness to think points of interest (e.g. a castle), signifi- outside the box and embrace an online cant places highlighting biodiversity, plac- Danube Day. ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Secretariat, Vienna International Center, D0412, P.O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria, Tel: +43/1/260 60-5738, Fax: +43/1/260 60-5895 e-mail: [email protected], www.icpdr.org